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Gilt: Fashion Police

Posted on Sep 14, 2011 09:00pm

­By: ­Priya Rao ­ VIEWERS of the hit CBS family drama Blue Bloods might be surprised to find Jennifer Esposito, who plays no-nonsense detective Jackie Curatola, poring over designer clothing at "it boutique" New York Vintage. "I could spend hours lost in here—hours!" says Esposito, clad in a breezy Calypso St. Barth dress and superstylish Givenchy wedges. "I'm a huge vintage person. [Owner] Shannon Hoey has the best stuff." When the actress notices a beaded chiffon headpiece, she practically jumps up and down with excitement. "I love that whole 1930s era. It was my time, all the chiffon and the beading. It was just so beautiful and sexy. I wish I could wear that stuff out to dinner." One of her favorite pieces to date? An Alexander McQueen feather headpiece at New York Vintage similar to the one worn by Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City. "It came down over my eye with a swoop and had all this tulle," Esposito explains. "It was totally McQueen. I wanted to die." Later, while noshing on seared tuna with a glass of sauvignon blanc at New York restaurant Morandi, Esposito describes her character's signature look: no makeup and shapeless suits. "I don't think the costume department had any idea what to do with me," she says with a chuckle. "Jackie just showed up one day and stayed there." Her own closet, on the other hand, is filled with her favorite designers including McQueen and Gary Graham. "I love things that are different, deconstructed and out of the ordinary." RED CARPET RUNAWAY As more diners begin to recognize the actress—who starred in Crash and on TV's Samantha Who before landing the plum role on Blue Bloods—Esposito shifts in her seat. "I really hate it," she says of the constant media scrutiny over her outfits and appearance. "It's really strange having people say, ‘You look great,' over and over again. "I know that's weird to say as an actress, since I'm in front of the camera all the time, but there is something [more comfortable] about being in motion when I'm filming." She finishes her wine and smiles: "I hate the red carpet; I never do it and I don't keep pictures of myself all over my apartment. I'm just not that girl; I usually wear tents." But only if the tents were made by McQueen.